425
 

Filed by Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act of 1933 and
deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
Commission File No.: 1-12069
Forward Looking Statements
The information presented may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any comparable “safe harbour” provisions of applicable Canadian legislation, including, but not limited to, statements relating to anticipated financial and operating results, the companies’ plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, cost savings and other statements, including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “may,” and other similar expressions.  Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and involve a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements.  The following factors, among others, could cause or contribute to such material differences:  the ability to obtain the approval of the transaction by Commerce Bancorp, Inc. stockholders; the ability to realize the expected synergies resulting for the transaction in the amounts or in the timeframe anticipated; the ability to integrate Commerce Bancorp, Inc.’s businesses into those of TD Bank Financial Group in a timely and cost-efficient manner; and the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction or to satisfy other conditions to the transaction on the proposed terms and timeframe.  Additional factors that could cause TD Bank Financial Group’s and Commerce Bancorp, Inc.’s results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 40-F for The Toronto-Dominion Bank and the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).
     The proposed merger transaction involving The Toronto-Dominion Bank and Commerce Bancorp, Inc. will be submitted to Commerce Bancorp’s shareholders for their consideration. Shareholders are encouraged to read the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available because it will contain important information.  Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about The Toronto-Dominion Bank and Commerce Bancorp, Inc., without charge, at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).  Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when available, without charge, by directing a request to TD Bank Financial Group, 66 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON M5K 1A2, Attention: Investor Relations, (416) 308-9030, or to Commerce Bancorp, Inc., Shareholder Relations, 1701 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-5400, (856) 751-9000.
     The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Commerce Bancorp, Inc., their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction.  Information regarding The Toronto-Dominion Bank’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended October 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11, 2006, and its notice of annual meeting and proxy circular for its most recent annual meeting, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2007.  Information regarding Commerce Bancorp, Inc.’s directors and executive officers is available in Commerce Bancorp, Inc.’s proxy statement for its most recent annual meeting, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2007. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

 


 

(COMMERCE BANCORP LOGO)
CONTACTS
     
Douglas J. Pauls   C. Edward Jordan, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer   Executive Vice President
(856) 751-9000
COMMERCE BANCORP
REPORTS QUARTERLY RESULTS
     October 25, 2007 – Cherry Hill, New Jersey – Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE Symbol: CBH) reports a net loss of $47.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, due primarily to an investment portfolio restructure. Commerce also reports increased assets, deposits and loans.
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
September 30, 2007
                         
                    %
                    Change
Total Assets:
  $ 50.0     Billion     15 %
Core Deposits:
  $ 44.8     Billion     16 %
Total (Net) Loans:
  $ 16.9     Billion     16 %
 
Total Revenues:
  $ 350.8     Million     (26 )%
Net Loss:
  $ (47.9 )   Million     (160 )%
Net Loss Per Share:
  $ (.24 )             (159 )%

2


 

Financial Summary
Balance Sheet
Deposits:
    Core deposits increased $6.2 billion, up 16%, for the prior 12 months, while total deposits increased $6.4 billion, or 16%, for the prior 12 months.
 
    Annualized core deposit growth per store was $15 million.
 
    Comparable store core deposit growth was 15%.
 
    Commercial core deposits grew 19% to $18.2 billion.
 
    New York City core deposits increased to $7.3 billion, up 25%.
Loans:
    Net loans grew $2.3 billion, or 16%, to $16.9 billion.
Third Quarter Results
     During the third quarter, the Company transferred approximately $7.4 billion of primarily fixed-rate investment securities from its available for sale portfolio to a trading portfolio as part of an investment portfolio restructure. To reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates, the Company intends to sell the securities in the trading portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2007 and reinvest those proceeds in short-term, floating rate, AAA-rated securities. In connection with the transfer, the Company recorded a pre-tax loss of approximately $175.3 million.
     Primarily as a result of two residential development credits being moved to non-accrual status, the Company’s third quarter provision for loan losses totaled $26.0 million, an increase of $13.5 million over the second quarter of 2007.
     Included in the Company’s third quarter results are pre-tax losses of approximately $4.1 million related to the Company’s equity method investments.
     The investment portfolio restructure, the additional provision for loan losses and the net losses on the Company’s equity method investments amounted to after tax charges of approximately $121.4 million, or $.61 per share, during the third quarter.
     As a result of these charges, third quarter net loss was $47.9 million and net loss per share was $.24.
Expansion
    During the first nine months of 2007, the Company opened 29 new stores.
 
    In 2007, the Company expects to open a total of +/- 50 stores, which will increase total stores to approximately 480.
 
    The Company has received approval for six branches from the OCC since June 29, 2007.

3


 

The Commercial Bank
                                 
    9/30/07   9/30/06   $ Increase   % Increase
            (dollars in millions)        
Commercial Core Deposits:
  $ 18,180     $ 15,214     $ 2,966       19 %
Commercial Loans:
    10,798       9,274       1,524       16  
Lending
     Loans increased 16% to $17.1 billion from the third quarter of 2006 and the growth was widespread throughout all loan categories.
Regional Loan Growth:
                                         
    9/30/07   9/30/06   $ Increase   % Increase   % of Total Growth
    (dollars in millions)
Metro New York
  $ 8,861     $ 7,445     $ 1,416       19 %     60 %
Metro Philadelphia
    7,353       6,742       611       9       26  
Metro Washington
    354       156       198       126       8  
Southeast Florida
    490       354       136       38       6  
     
 
                                       
Total:
  $ 17,058     $ 14,697     $ 2,361       16 %     100 %
     
Loan Composition:
                                                 
    9/30/07   % of Total   9/30/06   % of Total   $ Increase   % Increase
    (dollars in millions)
Commercial
  $ 4,706       28 %   $ 3,873       26 %   $ 833       22 %
Owner-Occupied RE
    3,086       18       2,729       19       357       13  
     
Total Commercial
    7,792       46       6,602       45       1,190       18  
 
                                               
Consumer
    6,261       37       5,424       37       837       15  
Commercial Real Estate
    3,005       17       2,671       18       334       12  
     
Total Loans
  $ 17,058       100 %   $ 14,697       100 %   $ 2,361       16 %
     
     The loan-to-deposit ratio was 37% at September 30, 2007.

4


 

Asset Quality
                         
    Quarter Ended
    9/30/07   6/30/07   9/30/06
Non-Performing Assets/Assets
    .20 %     .12 %     .11 %
Net Loan Charge-Offs
    .23 %     .18 %     .09 %
Reserve for Credit Losses/Gross Loans
    1.09 %     1.04 %     1.05 %
Non-Performing Loan Coverage
    190 %     334 %     341 %
Non-Performing Assets/Capital and Reserves
    3 %     2 %     2 %
     Non-performing assets and loans past due 90 days at September 30, 2007 totaled $101.9 million or .20% of total assets, versus $56.9 million, or .12% of total assets, at June 30, 2007 and $47.8 million, or .11% of total assets, at September 30, 2006.
     The increase in non-performing assets was primarily the result of two residential development credits, totaling approximately $34.5 million, which were transferred to non-accrual during the quarter. As a result, the Company’s third quarter provision for loan losses totaled $26.0 million, an increase of $13.5 million over the amount recorded in the second quarter of 2007.
Income Statement
                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    9/30/07   9/30/06   % Change   9/30/07   9/30/06   % Change
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total Revenues:
  $ 350,808     $ 472,527       (26 )%   $ 1,362,612     $ 1,373,352       (1 )%
Total Expenses:
    404,435       343,469       18       1,155,115       992,587       16  
Net (Loss)/Income:
    (47,911 )     79,669       (160 )     106,928       236,486       (55 )
Net (Loss)/Income Per Share:
  $ (.24 )   $ .41       (159 )   $ .54     $ 1.23       (56 )
Balance Sheet
                                 
    9/30/07   9/30/06   $ Increase   % Increase
            (dollars in millions)        
Total Assets:
  $ 49,994     $ 43,304     $ 6,690       15 %
Total Loans (Net):
    16,881       14,551       2,330       16  
Core Deposits:
    44,751       38,539       6,212       16  
Total Deposits:
    46,534       40,142       6,392       16  

5


 

Regional Deposit Growth
     Core deposit growth by region is as follows:
                                                             
                                            Average     Annualized  
    # of                   $   %   Store     Growth/  
    Stores   9/30/07   9/30/06   Increase   Increase   Size     Store  
             
    (dollars in millions)            
Northern New Jersey
    148     $ 12,900     $ 11,952     $ 948       8 %   $ 87       $ 7    
New York City
    61       7,300       5,827       1,473       25       120         26    
Long Island/Westchester/CT
    55       4,934       3,640       1,294       36       90         26    
             
Metro New York
    264     $ 25,134     $ 21,419     $ 3,715       17 %   $ 95       $ 15    
                 
Metro Philadelphia
    156       18,610       16,496       2,114       13       119         15    
                 
Metro Washington
    21       536       370       166       45       26         10    
                 
Southeast Florida
    16       471       254       217       85       29         21    
             
                 
Total Core Deposits
    457     $ 44,751     $ 38,539     $ 6,212       16 %   $ 98       $ 15    
             
Total Deposits
          $ 46,534     $ 40,142     $ 6,392       16 %   $ 102       $ 15    
                     
     Metro New York remains the Company’s largest and fastest growing market with core deposits of $25.1 billion, an increase of 17% over the third quarter of 2006.
Comparable Store Core Deposit Growth
     Comparable store deposit growth is measured as the year-over-year percentage increase in core deposits for stores open one year or more at the balance sheet date.
                 
    Core Deposit Growth
    # of   Comp Store
    Stores   Increase
     
Metro Philadelphia
    151       12 %
Northern New Jersey
    134       8  
New York City
    50       25  
Long Island/Westchester/CT
    47       29  
Metro Washington
    12       27  
Southeast Florida
    8       43  
     
Total
    402       15 %
     

6


 

Core Deposits
     Core deposit growth by type of account is as follows:
                                         
                                    3rd Quarter
                                    Cost of
    9/30/07   9/30/06   $ Change   % Change   Funds
     
            (dollars in millions)        
Demand
  $ 9,190     $ 8,650     $ 540       6 %     0.00 %
Interest Bearing Demand
    20,277       15,693       4,584       29       3.69  
Savings
    10,956       10,620       336       3       2.90  
     
Subtotal
    40,423       34,963       5,460       16 %     2.63 %
 
                                       
Time
    4,328       3,576       752       21       4.55  
     
Total Core Deposits:
  $ 44,751     $ 38,539     $ 6,212       16 %     2.82 %
     
     Core deposit growth by type of customer is as follows:
                                                 
    9/30/07   % Total   9/30/06   % Total   $ Increase   % Increase
     
    (dollars in millions)
Consumer
  $ 18,206       41 %   $ 15,702       41 %   $ 2,504       16 %
Commercial
    18,180       40       15,214       39       2,966       19  
Government
    8,365       19       7,623       20        742       10  
     
 
                                               
Total
  $ 44,751       100 %   $ 38,539       100 %   $ 6,212       16 %
     

7


 

Net Income and Net Income Per Share
     Net loss totaled $47.9 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared to net income of $79.7 million for the third quarter of 2006. On a diluted per share basis, net loss for the third quarter of 2007 was $.24 compared to net income of $.41 for the third quarter of 2006.
     For the first nine months of 2007, net income totaled $106.9 million, compared to $236.5 million for the first nine months of 2006. On a diluted per share basis, net income for the first nine months of 2007 was $.54 compared to $1.23 for the first nine months of 2006.
     The Company’s net results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 were impacted by the $175.3 million pre-tax loss related to the investment portfolio restructure, as well as the increased third quarter provision for loan and lease losses. In addition, included in the Company’s results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 are $4.1 million and $11.6 million, respectively, of net losses related to the Company’s equity method investments.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
     
    9/30/07   9/30/06   % Change   9/30/07   9/30/06   % Change
     
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net (Loss)/Income:
  $ (47,911 )   $ 79,669       (160 )%   $ 106,928     $ 236,486       (55 )%
Net (Loss)/Income Per Share:
  $ (.24 )   $ .41       (159 )   $ .54     $ 1.23       (56 )%

8


 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
     Net interest income for the third quarter totaled $347.1 million, an 8% increase over the $322.0 million recorded a year ago. For the first nine months of 2007, the Company recorded net interest income of $1.0 billion, an 8% increase over the $948.8 million earned in the first nine months of 2006. The increase in net interest income during the quarter and first nine months was due to volume increases in interest earning assets resulting from the Company’s continued deposit growth.
     The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2007 decreased to 3.13%, compared to 3.22% for the second quarter of 2007, and was down 14 basis points from the 3.27% margin for the third quarter of 2006.
     On a tax equivalent basis, the Company recorded $354.0 million in net interest income in the third quarter of 2007, an increase of $25.8 million or 8% over the third quarter of 2006. Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis of $1.0 billion was earned in the first nine months of 2007, an increase of $77.7 million or 8% over the first nine months of 2006.
Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis
     As shown below, the increase in net interest income on a tax equivalent basis was due to volume increases in the Company’s earning assets, which were fueled by the Company’s continued deposit growth. The Company’s continuing ability to grow deposits produces net interest income growth, despite rate compression.
                                 
    Net Interest Income
September   Volume   Rate   Total   %
2007 vs. 2006   Increase   Change   Increase   Increase
 
    (dollars in thousands)
Quarter
  $ 38,931       ($13,090 )   $ 25,841       8 %
First Nine Months
  $ 134,456       ($56,796 )   $ 77,660       8 %

9


 

Non-Interest Income
     Excluding net investment securities losses, non-interest income for the third quarter of 2007 increased to $179.0 million from $150.6 million a year ago, a 19% increase. On the same basis, non-interest income for the first nine months of 2007 increased to $512.2 million from $424.5 million a year ago, a 21% increase. The increases in non-interest income are primarily attributable to the increase in deposit charges and service fees of 23% and 26% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, respectively.
     Non-interest income for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2007 is more fully depicted below:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
     
    9/30/07   9/30/06   % Change   9/30/07   9/30/06   % Change
     
    (dollars in thousands)
Deposit Charges & Service Fees
  $ 119,771     $ 97,436       23 %   $ 341,890     $ 271,370       26 %
Other Operating Income:
                                               
Commerce Banc Insurance
    21,860       21,189       3       67,594       63,706       6  
Commerce Capital Markets
    6,938       6,851       1       22,243       20,348       9  
Operating Lease Revenue
    4,994       4,347       15       15,045       11,324       33  
Loan Brokerage Fees
    2,106       2,386       (12 )     7,710       6,505       19  
Other
    23,360       18,348       27       57,691       51,262       13  
     
Total Other Operating Income
    59,258       53,121       12       170,283       153,145       11  
     
Subtotal
    179,029       150,557       19       512,173       424,515       21  
Net Investment Securities Losses
    (175,343 )                 (172,464 )            
     
Total Non-Interest Income
  $ 3,686     $ 150,557       (98 )%   $ 339,709     $ 424,515       (20 )%
     
Non-Interest Expenses
     Non-interest expenses for the third quarter of 2007 were $404.4 million, up 18% from $343.5 million a year ago. Non-interest expenses for the first nine months of 2007 were $1.2 billion, up 16% from $992.6 million a year ago. The increases in non-interest expenses for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 were widespread throughout non-interest expense categories, reflecting the Company’s store expansion program.
     Included in non-interest expenses are increased FDIC assessments of $5.9 million and $14.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, respectively, compared to the same periods a year ago. Excluding these amounts, the Company’s non-interest expenses would have increased by 16% and 15% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, respectively, as compared to the prior year.

10


 

Investments
     At September 30, 2007, total investments increased to $29.1 billion. Detailed below is information regarding the composition and characteristics of the Company’s investment portfolio at September 30, 2007. The table excludes investments held in the trading portfolio at Commerce Capital Markets, which amounted to $110.0 million at September 30, 2007 and are primarily short-term tax-exempt notes.
                                 
            Available   Held to    
Product Description   Trading   For Sale   Maturity   Total
    (in millions)
Mortgage-backed Securities:
                               
Federal Agencies Pass Through Certificates (AAA Rated)
  $ 1,427     $ 447     $ 1,882     $ 3,756  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (AAA Rated)
    5,160       6,208       10,428       21,796  
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions/Other
    613       710       2,131       3,454  
     
Total
  $ 7,200     $ 7,365     $ 14,441     $ 29,006  
     
 
                               
Duration (in years)
    5.09       3.67       4.07       4.22  
Average Life (in years)
    6.81       6.18       6.17       6.34  
Quarterly Average Yield
    5.92 %     5.70 %     5.37 %     5.54 %
     At September 30, 2007, the after tax depreciation of the Company’s available for sale portfolio was $40.5 million.
Capital Resources
     Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2007 increased to $2.9 billion, a $222.3 million increase, or 8% over stockholders’ equity of $2.7 billion at September 30, 2006.
     Return on average stockholders equity (ROE) for the third quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2007 and 2006 is shown in the table below. ROE for the third quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2007 were impacted by the investment portfolio restructure, provision for loan losses and net losses related to the Company’s equity method investments.
             
Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
9/30/07   9/30/06   9/30/07   9/30/06
(6.47)%
  12.06%   4.89%   12.61%

11


 

     At September 30, 2007, the Company’s book value per share was $14.68, a 6% increase over the book value per share of $13.85 at September 30, 2006.
     The Company’s capital ratios at September 30, 2007 were as follows:
                 
            Regulatory Guidelines
    Commerce   “Well Capitalized”
Leverage Ratio
    5.81 %     5.00 %
Tier I
    11.24 %     6.00 %
Total Capital
    12.00 %     10.00 %
New Stores
     During the third quarter of 2007, the Company added 15 new stores, increasing the total stores to 457. During the last three years, the Company has added 160 of its 457 stores.
     Stores opened during the third quarter were as follows:
Metropolitan New York
     
Location   County
Green Brook   Somerset (NJ)
Larchmont Village   Westchester (NY)
City Hall   New York (NY)
North Arlington   Bergen (NJ)
Shelton   Fairfield (CT)
Pelham Parkway   Bronx (NY)
Shirley   Suffolk (NY)
Oakland   Bergen (NJ)
Morristown   Morris (NJ)
Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
     
Location   County
Germantown   Montgomery (MD)
Leesburg   Loudoun (VA)
Southeastern Florida
     
Location   County
Coral Springs/University   Broward (FL)
Deerwood   Miami-Dade (FL)
Coral Gables   Miami-Dade (FL)
Riviera Beach   Palm Beach (FL)

12


 

Merger Agreement with The Toronto-Dominion Bank (“TD”)
     On October 2, 2007, the Company and TD entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which TD will acquire the Company and the Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of TD. The board of directors of the Company approved the Merger Agreement and has adopted a resolution recommending the approval of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s shareholders. The Company has agreed to put the merger agreement before the shareholders for their approval. When it becomes available, Commerce shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the merger that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The proxy statement/prospectus will contain additional information about the merger and the special meeting of Commerce shareholders that will be held to vote on the merger agreement. Subject to customary closing conditions, the merger is expected to close in March or April 2008.
Other Matters
     Commerce has been advised that an investigation is being conducted by the Staff of the SEC. Commerce has further been advised that the scope of the investigation will include, but not necessarily be limited to, transactions with its current and former officers, directors, and related parties, including transactions involving bank premises. Commerce is fully cooperating with the SEC with respect to the investigation.
Forward-Looking Statements
     The Company may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements”, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC, in its reports to shareholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
     These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). The words “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s financial performance or other forward looking statements to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; inflation; interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; the timely development of competitive new products and services by the Company and the acceptance of such products and services by customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for the Company’s products and services and vice versa; the impact of changes in financial services’ laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); technological changes; future acquisitions; the expense savings and revenue enhancements from acquisitions being less than expected; the growth and profitability of the Company’s non-interest or fee income being less than expected; the ability to maintain the growth and further development of the Company’s community-based retail branching network; unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings (including those regulatory and other approvals necessary to open new stores); changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

13


 

     In addition, with respect to the TD merger, actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause or contribute to such material differences; the ability to obtain the approval of the merger by the Company’s shareholders; the ability to realize the expected synergies resulting from the merger in the amounts or in the timeframe anticipated; the ability to integrate the Company’s businesses into those of TD Bank Financial Group in a timely and cost-efficient manner; and the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the merger or to satisfy other conditions to the merger on the proposed terms and timeframe. Additional factors that could cause TD Bank Financial Group’s and the Company’s results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the 2006 Annual Report on Form 40-F for The Toronto-Dominion Bank and the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).
     The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
     The Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements the Company has anticipated in such forward-looking statements. You should note that many factors could affect the Company’s future financial results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this document.
Additional Information
     The proposed merger transaction involving The Toronto-Dominion Bank and the Company will be submitted to the Company’s shareholders for their consideration. Shareholders are encouraged to read the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available because it will contain important information. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about The Toronto-Dominion Bank and the Company, without charge, at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when available, without charge, by directing a request to TD Bank Financial Group, 66 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON M5K 1A2, Attention: Investor Relations, (416) 308-9030, or to Commerce Bancorp, Inc., Shareholder Relations, 1701 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-5400, (856) 751-9000.
     The Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Company, their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding The Toronto-Dominion Bank’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended October 31, 2006, which was filed with the SEC on December 11, 2006, and its notice of annual meeting and proxy circular for its most recent annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2007. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in the Company’s proxy statement for its most recent annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 13, 2007. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

14


 

Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
                     
             
        September 30,   December 31,
    (dollars in thousands)   2007   2006
Assets
  Cash and due from banks   $ 1,345,641     $ 1,207,390  
 
  Federal funds sold     3,300       9,300  
 
                   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
    1,348,941       1,216,690  
 
  Loans held for sale     24,407       52,741  
 
  Trading securities     7,310,103       106,007  
 
  Securities available for sale     7,364,771       11,098,113  
 
  Securities held to maturity     14,440,690       14,884,982  
 
 
(market value 09/07-$14,131,679; 2006-$14,617,764)
               
 
  Loans     17,057,856       15,607,049  
 
 
Less allowance for loan losses
    177,329       152,053  
 
                   
 
        16,880,527       15,454,996  
 
  Bank premises and equipment, net     1,965,873       1,753,670  
 
  Goodwill and other intangible assets     145,129       141,631  
 
  Other assets     513,595       562,986  
 
                   
 
  Total assets   $ 49,994,036     $ 45,271,816  
 
                   
                     
Liabilities
  Deposits:                
 
 
Demand:
               
 
 
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 9,190,005     $ 8,936,824  
 
 
Interest-bearing
    20,276,514       16,853,457  
 
 
Savings
    10,962,975       10,459,306  
 
 
Time
    6,104,819       5,038,624  
 
                   
 
 
Total deposits
    46,534,313       41,288,211  
 
  Other borrowed money     204,130       777,404  
 
  Other liabilities     317,978       405,103  
 
                   
 
        47,056,421       42,470,718  
                     
 
                   
Stockholders’ Equity
  Common stock, 195,634,664 shares issued (189,738,423 shares in 2006)     195,635       189,738  
 
  Capital in excess of par value     1,848,936       1,744,691  
 
                   
 
  Retained earnings     986,021       958,770  
 
  Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     (40,484 )     (65,240 )
 
                   
 
        2,990,108       2,827,959  
                     
 
  Less treasury stock, at cost, 1,976,923 shares (1,231,081 shares in 2006)     52,493       26,861  
 
                   
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    2,937,615       2,801,098  
 
                   
 
  Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 49,994,036     $ 45,271,816  
 
                   

15


 

Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
                                                     
                         
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,
    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   2007   2006%   Change   2007   2006%   Change
Interest
  Interest and fees on loans   $ 289,854     $ 255,663       13 %   $ 839,487     $ 707,527       19 %
income
  Interest on investments     390,653       339,825       15       1,122,206       959,923       17  
 
  Other interest     836       1,918       (56 )     8,569       2,581       232  
 
                                                   
 
 
Total interest income
    681,343       597,406       14       1,970,262       1,670,031       18  
 
                                                   
                                                     
Interest
  Interest on deposits:                                                
expense
 
Demand
    182,616       132,349       38       523,647       348,374       50  
 
 
Savings
    77,221       70,320       10       222,293       188,481       18  
 
 
Time
    67,383       52,375       29       186,767       129,810       44  
 
                                                   
 
 
Total interest on deposits
    327,220       255,044       28       932,707       666,665       40  
 
  Interest on other borrowed money     7,001       20,392       (66 )     14,652       54,529       (73 )
 
                                                   
 
 
Total interest expense
    334,221       275,436       21       947,359       721,194       31  
 
                                                   
                                                     
 
  Net interest income     347,122       321,970       8       1,022,903       948,837       8  
 
  Provision for credit losses     26,000       9,499       174       48,550       23,500       107  
 
                                                   
 
  Net interest income after provision for credit losses     321,122       312,471       3       974,353       925,337       5  
                                                     
Noninterest
  Deposit charges and service fees     119,771       97,436       23       341,890       271,370       26  
income
  Other operating income     59,258       53,121       12       170,283       153,145       11  
 
  Net investment securities (losses) gains     (175,343 )     0       0       (172,464 )     0       0  
 
                                                   
 
 
Total noninterest income
    3,686       150,557       (98 )     339,709       424,515       (20 )
 
                                                   
 
 
Total Revenues
    350,808       472,527       (26 )     1,362,612       1,373,352       (1 )
                                                     
Noninterest
  Salaries and benefits     179,442       156,105       15       518,695       451,560       15  
expense
  Occupancy     63,865       49,534       29       180,563       141,261       28  
 
  Furniture and equipment     46,261       41,543       11       134,384       117,159       15  
 
  Office     16,910       15,213       11       50,021       45,084       11  
 
  Marketing     11,372       10,712       6       32,499       30,222       8  
 
  Other     86,585       70,362       23       238,953       207,301       15  
 
                                                   
 
 
Total noninterest expenses
    404,435       343,469       18       1,155,115       992,587       16  
 
                                                   
                                                     
 
  Income before income taxes     (79,627 )     119,559       (167 )     158,947       357,265       (56 )
 
  Provision for federal and state income taxes     (31,716 )     39,890       (180 )     52,019       120,779       (57 )
 
                                                   
 
  Net income     ($47,911 )   $ 79,669       (160 )%   $ 106,928     $ 236,486       (55 )%
 
                                                   
                                                     
 
  Net income per common and common equivalent share:                                                
 
 
Basic
    ($0.25 )   $ 0.43       (158 )%   $ 0.56     $ 1.29       (57 )%
 
                                                   
 
 
Diluted
    ($0.24 )   $ 0.41       (159 )   $ 0.54     $ 1.23       (56 )
 
                                                   
 
  Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding:                                                
 
 
Basic
    193,027       186,527       3       191,299       183,981       4  
 
                                                   
 
 
Diluted
    199,097       194,754       2       197,728       192,872       3  
 
                                                   
 
  Cash dividends, common stock   $ 0.13     $ 0.12       8 %   $ 0.39     $ 0.36       8 %
 
                                                   

16


 

Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(unaudited)
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
                    %                     %  
    2007     2006     Change     2007     2006     Change  
    (dollars and shares in thousands)     (dollars and shares in thousands)  
Income Statement Data:
                                               
Net interest income
  $ 347,122     $ 321,970       8 %   $ 1,022,903     $ 948,837       8 %
Provision for credit losses
    26,000       9,499       174       48,550       23,500       107  
Noninterest income
    3,686       150,557       (98 )     339,709       424,515       (20 )
Total revenues
    350,808       472,527       (26 )     1,362,612       1,373,352       (1 )
Noninterest expense
    404,435       343,469       18       1,155,115       992,587       16  
Net income
    (47,911 )     79,669       (160 )     106,928       236,486       (55 )
Per Share Data:
                                               
Net income — Basic
    ($0.25 )   $ 0.43       (158 )%   $ 0.56     $ 1.29       (57 )%
Net income — Diluted
    (0.24 )     0.41       (159 )     0.54       1.23       (56 )
Book value — Basic
                          $ 15.17     $ 14.51       5 %
Book value — Diluted
                            14.68       13.85       6  
Revenue per share — Diluted
  $ 7.05     $ 9.71       (27 )%   $ 9.19     $ 9.49       (3 )%
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
                                               
Basic
    193,027       186,527               191,299       183,981          
Diluted
    199,097       194,754               197,728       192,872          
Balance Sheet Data:
                                               
Total assets
                          $ 49,994,036     $ 43,303,510       15 %
Loans (net)
                            16,880,527       14,550,704       16  
Allowance for credit losses
                            185,966       154,572       20  
Securities available for sale
                            7,364,771       10,800,173       (32 )
Securities held to maturity
                            14,440,690       14,245,638       1  
Total deposits
                            46,534,313       40,141,661       16  
Core deposits
                            44,751,028       38,538,568       16  
Stockholders’ equity
                            2,937,615       2,715,361       8  
Capital:
                                               
Stockholders’ equity to total assets
                            5.88 %     6.27 %        
Risk-based capital ratios:
                                               
Tier I
                            11.24       11.99          
Total capital
                            12.00       12.71          
Leverage ratio
                            5.81       6.08          
Performance Ratios:
                                               
Cost of funds
    2.96 %     2.74 %             2.91 %     2.53 %        
Net interest margin
    3.13       3.27               3.21       3.39          
Return on average assets
    -0.39       0.74               0.30       0.76          
Return on average total stockholders’ equity
    -6.47       12.06               4.89       12.61          

17


 

The following summary presents information regarding non-performing loans and assets as of September 30, 2007 and the preceding four quarters (dollar amounts in thousands).
                                         
    September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,     September 30,  
    2007     2007     2007     2006     2006  
Non-accrual loans:
                                       
Commercial
  $ 25,736     $ 22,381     $ 20,526     $ 33,686     $ 33,658  
Consumer
    18,463       15,462       15,343       11,820       9,325  
Commercial real estate:
                                       
Construction
    44,619       8,509       8,575       3,531       496  
Mortgage
    9,287       4,328       2,277       1,565       1,828  
 
                             
Total non-accrual loans
    98,105       50,680       46,721       50,602       45,307  
 
                             
Restructured loans:
                                       
Commercial
                             
Consumer
                             
Commercial real estate:
                                       
Construction
                             
Mortgage
                             
Total restructured loans
                             
 
                             
Total non-performing loans
    98,105       50,680       46,721       50,602       45,307  
 
                             
Other real estate/foreclosed assets
    2,709       5,235       5,000       2,610       2,022  
 
                             
Total non-performing assets
    100,814       55,915       51,721       53,212       47,329  
 
                             
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
    1,078       965       658       620       441  
 
                             
Total non-performing assets and loans past due 90 days or more
  $ 101,892     $ 56,880     $ 52,379     $ 53,832     $ 47,770  
 
                             
Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total period-end loans
    0.58 %     0.31 %     0.29 %     0.32 %     0.31 %
Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total period-end assets
    0.20 %     0.12 %     0.11 %     0.12 %     0.11 %
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans
    190 %     334 %     351 %     317 %     341 %
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total period-end loans
    1.09 %     1.04 %     1.03 %     1.03 %     1.05 %
Total non-performing assets and loans past due 90 days or more as a percentage of stockholders’ equity and allowance for credit losses
    3 %     2 %     2 %     2 %     2 %

18


 

     The following table presents, for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for credit losses and other related data: (dollar amounts in thousands)
                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended     Year Ended  
    09/30/07     09/30/06     09/30/07     09/30/06     12/31/06  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 169,459     $ 148,383     $ 160,269     $ 141,464     $ 141,464  
Provisions charged to operating expenses
    26,000       9,499       48,550       23,500       33,700  
 
                             
 
    195,459       157,882       208,819       164,964       175,164  
Recoveries on loans charged-off:
                                       
Commercial
    1,084       1,707       3,270       4,335       5,987  
Consumer
    255       237       874       1,372       1,604  
Commercial real estate
          57       297       375       385  
 
                             
Total recoveries
    1,339       2,001       4,441       6,082       7,976  
Loans charged-off:
                                       
Commercial
    (5,852 )     (2,968 )     (16,097 )     (10,182 )     (14,107 )
Consumer
    (3,142 )     (2,119 )     (8,686 )     (5,803 )     (8,179 )
Commercial real estate
    (1,838 )     (224 )     (2,511 )     (489 )     (585 )
 
                             
Total charge-offs
    (10,832 )     (5,311 )     (27,294 )     (16,474 )     (22,871 )
 
                             
Net charge-offs
    (9,493 )     (3,310 )     (22,853 )     (10,392 )     (14,895 )
 
                             
Balance at end of period
  $ 185,966     $ 154,572     $ 185,966     $ 154,572     $ 160,269  
 
                             
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding
    0.23 %     0.09 %     0.19 %     0.10 %     0.11 %
Net Allowance Additions
  $ 16,507     $ 6,189     $ 25,697     $ 13,108     $ 18,805  

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Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Average Balances and Net Interest Income
(unaudited)
                                                                         
    September 2007     June 2007     September 2006  
    Average             Average     Average             Average     Average             Average  
    Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
(dollars in thousands)
                                                                       
Earning Assets
                                                                       
Investment securities
                                                                       
Taxable
  $ 27,318,695     $ 381,917       5.55 %   $ 26,645,741     $ 369,794       5.57 %   $ 24,566,553     $ 334,250       5.40 %
Tax-exempt
    437,271       6,614       6.00       571,408       8,415       5.91       530,542       7,641       5.71  
Trading
    328,192       4,894       5.92       105,198       1,509       5.75       78,103       934       4.74  
 
                                                     
Total investment securities
    28,084,158       393,425       5.56       27,322,347       379,718       5.57       25,175,198       342,825       5.40  
Federal funds sold
    61,867       836       5.36       150,675       2,000       5.32       145,897       1,918       5.22  
Loans
                                                                       
Commercial mortgages
    5,551,061       99,010       7.08       5,443,872       96,125       7.08       5,001,608       90,050       7.14  
Commercial
    4,317,292       84,024       7.72       4,143,332       80,595       7.80       3,603,790       72,606       7.99  
Consumer
    6,164,959       99,188       6.38       5,947,306       95,002       6.41       5,407,721       87,077       6.39  
Tax-exempt
    640,357       11,742       7.27       615,035       10,987       7.17       510,950       9,123       7.08  
 
                                                     
Total loans
    16,673,669       293,964       6.99       16,149,545       282,709       7.02       14,524,069       258,856       7.07  
 
                                                     
Total earning assets
  $ 44,819,694     $ 688,225       6.09 %   $ 43,622,567     $ 664,427       6.11 %   $ 39,845,164     $ 603,599       6.01 %
 
                                                     
Sources of Funds
                                                                       
Interest-bearing liabilities Savings
  $ 10,561,475     $ 77,221       2.90 %   $ 10,455,936     $ 72,954       2.80 %   $ 10,592,676     $ 70,320       2.63 %
Interest bearing demand
    19,629,289       182,616       3.69       19,173,873       177,289       3.71       14,975,663       132,349       3.51  
Time deposits
    4,318,505       49,488       4.55       4,152,221       46,518       4.49       3,344,257       32,667       3.88  
Public funds
    1,347,235       17,895       5.27       1,079,122       14,003       5.20       1,470,116       19,708       5.32  
 
                                                     
Total deposits
    35,856,504       327,220       3.62       34,861,152       310,764       3.58       30,382,712       255,044       3.33  
Other borrowed money
    523,708       7,001       5.30       267,542       3,519       5.28       1,543,210       20,392       5.24  
 
                                                     
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities
    36,380,212       334,221       3.64       35,128,694       314,283       3.59       31,925,922       275,436       3.42  
Noninterest-bearing funds (net)
    8,439,482                       8,493,873                       7,919,242                  
 
                                                     
Total sources to fund earning assets
  $ 44,819,694       334,221       2.96     $ 43,622,567       314,283       2.89     $ 39,845,164       275,436       2.74  
 
                                                     
Net interest income and margin tax-equivalent basis
          $ 354,004       3.13 %           $ 350,144       3.22 %           $ 328,163       3.27 %
 
                                                     
Other Balances
                                                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 1,242,929                     $ 1,213,084                     $ 1,219,806                  
Other assets
    2,804,641                       2,754,125                       2,359,885                  
Total assets
    48,701,192                       47,430,063                       43,279,878                  
Total deposits
    44,821,215                       43,869,934                       38,772,316                  
Demand deposits (noninterest-bearing)
    8,964,711                       9,008,782                       8,389,604                  
Other liabilities
    393,685                       382,676                       321,225                  
Stockholders’ equity
    2,962,584                       2,909,911                       2,643,127                  
Allowance for loan losses
    166,072                       159,713                       144,977                  
 
Notes    -Weighted average yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal tax rate of 35%.
 
    -Non-accrual loans have been included in the average loan balance.
 
    -Consumer loans include loans held for sale.

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